Vertical memory devices

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to a vertical memory devices and methods of manufacture. The structure includes: a first bit cell with a first top electrode; a second bit cell with a second top electrode; and a common bottom electrode for both the first bit cell and the second bit cell.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to vertical memory devices and methods of manufacture.

BACKGROUND

Resistive random-access memory (ReRAM) is a type of non-volatile random-access (RAM) computer memory that works by changing the resistance across a dielectric solid-state material, often referred to as a memristor. ReRAM can be fabricated as vertical memory devices with a metal-insulator-metal configuration. The metal-insulator-metal configuration can include, for example, a top electrode, switching material and bottom electrode.

Although ReRAM can be seen as a replacement technology for flash memory, the cost and performance benefits of ReRAM have not been fully realized. For example, there are challenges in forming such ReRAM memory devices with a top electrode, switching materials and bottom electrode. These challenges include CMP (chemical mechanical polishing) process induced SiCN loss, as well as metal removal when forming the bottom electrode. In addition, recess etching processes result in a shorting to the bottom electrode resulting in significant performance issues.

SUMMARY

In an aspect of the disclosure, a structure comprises: a first bit cell with a first top electrode; a second bit cell with a second top electrode; and a common bottom electrode for both the first bit cell and the second bit cell.

In an aspect of the disclosure, a structure comprises: a bottom electrode in electrical contact with a lower metallization feature; a switching material on sides of the bottom electrode; a first top electrode on the switching material on a first side of the bottom electrode; and a second top electrode on the switching material on a second side of the bottom electrode, wherein the first top electrode and the second top electrode share the bottom electrode in a 2-bit cell configuration.

In an aspect of the disclosure, a method comprising: forming an opening in both a sacrificial material and an etch stop layer to expose a bottom metallization feature; forming a bottom electrode in the opening; removing the sacrificial material over the etch stop layer; depositing switching material on the bottom electrode; depositing top electrode material on the switching material; and patterning the switching material and the top electrode material to form a first top electrode and a second top electrode of a two bit cell with the bottom electrode common to both the first top electrode and the second top electrode.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure is described in the detailed description which follows, in reference to the noted plurality of drawings by way of non-limiting examples of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 1A and 1B show cross-sectional views of metal layers of a bit cell, amongst other features, and respective fabrication processes in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show cross-sectional views of a bottom electrode, amongst other features, and respective fabrication processes in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 2C-2F show cross-sectional views for forming the bottom electrode, amongst other features, and respective fabrication processes in accordance with additional aspects of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show cross-sectional views of a top electrode material, amongst other features, and respective fabrication processes in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show cross-sectional views of a patterned top electrode, amongst other features, and respective fabrication processes in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show cross-sectional views of the top electrode and a shared bottom electrode for two bit cells, amongst other features, and respective fabrication processes in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 shows the memory cells with contacts and respective fabrication processes in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to vertical memory devices and methods of manufacture. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to vertical resistive random-access memory (ReRAM) devices in a back end of line (BEOL) interconnect level and methods of manufacturing. Advantageously, the ReRAM devices avoid Mx (e.g., lower metal level) short to a bottom electrode due to over recess etching processes, while also reducing power consumption. As to the latter advantage, the ReRAM devices exhibit electric field focus at the corner of the top electrode which improves voltage applied reductions.

In embodiments, the ReRAM devices are comprised of a 2 bit-per cell sharing a same bottom electrode. More specifically, the present disclosure provides a memory device with a first bit cell with a first unique top electrode, a second bit cell with a second unique top electrode and a common or shared bottom electrode for both the first bit cell and the second bit cell. The common or shared bottom electrode with the two unique top electrodes allows for separate write and read operations.

The ReRAM devices of the present disclosure can be manufactured in a number of ways using a number of different tools. In general, though, the methodologies and tools are used to form structures with dimensions in the micrometer and nanometer scale. The methodologies, i.e., technologies, employed to manufacture the ReRAM devices of the present disclosure have been adopted from integrated circuit (IC) technology. For example, the structures are built on wafers and are realized in films of material patterned by photolithographic processes on the top of a wafer. In particular, the fabrication of the ReRAM devices uses three basic building blocks: (i) deposition of thin films of material on a substrate, (ii) applying a patterned mask on top of the films by photolithographic imaging, and (iii) etching the films selectively to the mask.

FIGS. 1A and 1B show cross-sectional views of metal layers of a bit cell, amongst other features, and respective fabrication processes in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. More specifically, FIG. 1A shows a cross-sectional view perpendicular to a bitcell; whereas, FIG. 1B shows a cross-sectional view parallel to the bit cell. Referring now to both FIGS. 1A and 1B, the structure 10 includes a periphery or logic area 10 a and a memory (e.g., ememory) area 10 b. In embodiments, both the periphery or logic area 10 a and memory area 10 b include a plurality of metallization features 12, 12 a, e.g., wiring structures or interconnect structures at a back end of line level, embedded within a dielectric material 14. In embodiments, the metallization features 12, 12 a can be copper wiring lines or interconnects at a lower wiring level (Mx); although other conductive materials are also contemplated herein. The dielectric material 14 can be, for example, oxide.

The metallization features 12, 12 a, e.g., wiring structures or interconnect structures, can be formed by conventional lithography, etching and deposition methods known to those of skill in the art. For example, a resist formed over the dielectric material 14 is exposed to energy (light) to form a pattern (opening). An etching process with a selective chemistry, e.g., reactive ion etching (RIE), will be used to form one or more trenches in the dielectric material 14 through the openings of the resist. The resist can then be removed by a conventional oxygen ashing process or other known stripants. Following the resist removal, conductive material can be deposited by any conventional deposition process, e.g., chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process. Any residual conductive material on the surface of the dielectric material 14 can be removed by conventional chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) processes.

Still referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, an etch stop layer 16 is deposited over the dielectric material 14 and metallization features 12, 12 a, in both the periphery or logic area 10 a and memory area 10 b. In embodiments, the etch stop layer 16 can be nitride, nitrogen-doped silicon carbide, or other materials that can hermetically seal the underlying metallization features 12, 12 a. The etch stop layer 16 can be deposited by a conventional CVD process, deposited to a thickness of about 5 nm to about 50 nm and, more specifically, to a thickness of about 5 nm to about 15 nm. A sacrificial material 18 is deposited on the etch stop layer 16. In embodiments, the sacrificial material 18 is a material that has an etch selectivity to the etch stop layer 16, e.g., a material that can be etched without removing the underlying etch stop layer 16.

An opening 20 is formed in the etch stop layer 16 and sacrificial material 18 to expose the underlying metallization feature 12 a in the memory area 10 a. In embodiments, the opening 20 can be formed by conventional lithography and etching processes, e.g., RIE, with selective chemistries to both the etch stop layer 16 and sacrificial material 18. In embodiments, the sacrificial material 18 will protect the logic or periphery area 10 b during the etching processes. Following the formation of the opening 20, any resist material used in the lithography and etching processes can be removed by using known stripants, for example.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show cross-sectional views of a bottom electrode, amongst other features, and respective fabrication processes in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 2A shows a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the bitcell; whereas, FIG. 2B shows a cross-sectional view parallel to the bit cell. Referring now to both FIGS. 2A and 2B, a conductive material 22 is selectively deposited within the opening 20 and in direct contact with the underlying metallization feature 12 a in the memory area 10 a. In embodiments, the conductive material 22 will form the bottom electrode for two memory (bit) cells as described in more detail herein. The conductive material 22 can be, for example, Ru or Co or combinations thereof on copper. It should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, though, that other conductive materials and deposition processes can be used for forming of the electrodes as contemplated by the present disclosure.

FIGS. 2C-2F show cross-sectional views for forming a bottom electrode, amongst other features, in accordance with additional aspects of the present disclosure. FIGS. 2C and 2E show a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the bitcell; whereas, FIGS. 2D and 2F show a cross-sectional view parallel to the bit cell. Referring to FIGS. 2C-2F, the conductive material 22 is blanket deposited within the opening 20 and on the sacrificial material 18. In embodiments, the blanket deposition process can be a CVD or plasma enhanced vapor deposition (PEVD) process, as non-limiting exemplary illustrations. This is compared to the selective deposition process shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. Following the blanket deposition, excess conductive material 22 on the sacrificial material 18 is removed by a conventional CMP process, leaving the conductive material 22 in the opening 20 and in direct contact with the underlying metallization feature 12 a in the memory area 10 a.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show cross-sectional views of a top electrode material, amongst other features, and respective fabrication processes in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 3A shows a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the bitcell; whereas, FIG. 3B shows a cross-sectional view parallel to the bit cell. Referring now to both FIGS. 3A and 3B, the sacrificial material is removed by a selective etching process with the etch stop layer 16 protecting the underlying metallization features 12. A switching material 24 is deposited over the etch stop layer 16. In embodiments, the switching material 24 can be a hafnium dioxide, silicon nitride or other high-k dielectric materials. For example, the switching material 24 can be, e.g., HfO₂ Al₂O₃, Ta₂O₃, TiO₂, La₂O₃, SrTiO₃, LaAlO₃, ZrO₂, Y₂O₃, Gd₂O₃, and combinations including multilayers thereof. A top electrode material 26 is deposited on the switching material 24. In embodiments, the top electrode material 26 can TiN or other metal materials known to those of skill in the art. The top electrode material 26 can be deposited by a CVD process as a non-limiting example.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show cross-sectional views of a patterned top electrode material, amongst other features, and respective fabrication processes in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 4A shows a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the bitcell; whereas, FIG. 4B shows a cross-sectional view parallel to the bit cell. Referring now to both FIGS. 4A and 4B, the switching material 24 and the top electrode material 26 are patterned (e.g., cut) by using conventional lithography and etching processes. More specifically, in embodiments, the switching material 24 and the top electrode material 26 are cut, e.g., removed, from portions of the etch stop layer 16 using conventional lithography and etching processes known to those of ordinary skill in the art such that no further explanation is required. In this approach, the switching material 24 and the top electrode material 26 will remain on a top and sidewalls of the bottom electrode 22.

Following the cut process, an advance etch stop layer 28 is deposited on the remaining etch stop layer 16 and the switching material 24, as well as on the top electrode material 26 and the bottom electrode 22 (within the cut). In embodiments, the advance etch stop layer 28 is a bilayer film composed, for example, of AlN and oxygen-doped silicon carbide (ODC) deposited by a CVD process to a total thickness of about 15 nm to 50 nm. In more preferred embodiments, the AlN can have a thickness of about 2.5 nm to 5.0 nm and the ODC can have a thickness of about 4.0 nm to 7.0 nm. The advance etch stop layer 28 can be aluminum nitride or oxygen doped carbide, as illustrative non-limiting examples. An insulator material 30 is deposited over the advance etch stop layer 28 (including within the cuts). In embodiments, the insulator material 30 is an interlevel dielectric material such as oxide.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show cross-sectional views of the top electrode and a shared bottom electrode for two bit cells, amongst other features, and respective fabrication processes in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 5A shows a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the bitcell; whereas, FIG. 5B shows a cross-sectional view parallel to the bit cell. Referring now to both FIGS. 5A and 5B, the bottom electrode 22, the switching material 24, the top electrode material 26, the advance etch stop layer 28 and the insulator material 30 are subjected to a CMP polish. By performing the CMP polish, the top electrode material 26 is formed into a first top electrode 26 a and a second top electrode 26 b, both of which share the bottom electrode 22. Also, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the switching material 24 will be an intervening layer between the top electrodes 26 a, 26 b, and bottom electrode 22. In this way, the fabrication processes described herein can form a two bit cell with a common bottom electrode 22.

FIG. 6 shows the memory cells with contacts and respective fabrication processes in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. More specifically, an interlevel dielectric material 32 is deposited on the planarized surface, e.g., over the top electrodes 26 a, 26 b. In embodiments, the dielectric material 32 is an oxide material deposited by a conventional CVD process. Following the deposition process, contacts 34 a, 34 b and via interconnects 36 can be formed in the dielectric material 32 using conventional, lithography, etching, deposition and planarizing processes as already described herein. In embodiments, the contact 34 a and via interconnect 36 can be formed by two single damascene processes or a dual damascene process, connecting to the underlying metallization features 12 in the periphery area 10 a. The contacts 34 b are formed in electrical contact with the respective top electrodes 26 a, 26 b in the memory area 10 b, thereby forming two distinct memory cells sharing the same bottom contact 22.

The method(s) as described above is used in the fabrication of integrated circuit chips. The resulting integrated circuit chips can be distributed by the fabricator in raw wafer form (that is, as a single wafer that has multiple unpackaged chips), as a bare die, or in a packaged form. In the latter case the chip is mounted in a single chip package (such as a plastic carrier, with leads that are affixed to a motherboard or other higher level carrier) or in a multichip package (such as a ceramic carrier that has either or both surface interconnections or buried interconnections). In any case the chip is then integrated with other chips, discrete circuit elements, and/or other signal processing devices as part of either (a) an intermediate product, such as a motherboard, or (b) an end product. The end product can be any product that includes integrated circuit chips, ranging from toys and other low-end applications to advanced computer products having a display, a keyboard or other input device, and a central processor.

The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present disclosure have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein. 

What is claimed:
 1. A structure comprising: a first bit cell with a first top electrode; a second bit cell with a second top electrode; a common bottom electrode for both the first bit cell and the second bit cell, a switching material included in each of the first bit cell and the second bit cell, the switching material between and contacting the first top electrode and a first side of the common bottom electrode, the switching material between and contacting the second top electrode and a second side of the common bottom electrode opposite to the first side; an etch stop layer lining sidewals or the first top electrode and the second top electrode and contacting a portion of the switching material; a first contact partially extending over and contacting a top surface of the first top electrode, and further contacting a top surface of the etch stop layer, and a second contact partially extending over and contacting a top surface of the second top electrode, and further contacting a top surface of the etch stop layer.
 2. The structure of claim 1, wherein the switching material is between and directly contacting the first top electrode and the first side of the common bottom electrode and the second top electrode and the second side of the common bottom electrode.
 3. The structure of claim 2, wherein the switching material is a high-k dielectric material.
 4. The structure of claim 1, wherein the common bottom electrode is a different conductive material than the first top electrode and the second top electrode.
 5. The structure of claim 1, wherein the first bit cell and the second bit cell are vertical memory cells.
 6. The structure of claim 5, wherein the vertical memory cells are resistive random access memory (ReRAM) cells.
 7. The structure of claim 2, wherein the first top electrode is on the first side of the common bottom electrode and the second top electrode is on the second side of the common bottom electrode, and the switching material is an intervening material between the common bottom electrode and the first and second top electrodes.
 8. The structure of claim 1, further comprising an additional etch stop layer under the etch stop layer and above metallization features, wherein the additional etch stop layer hermitically seals the metallization features.
 9. The structure of claim 1, further comprising metallization features under the common bottom electrode, the first top electrode and the second top electrode, the metallization features being provided in both a periphery area and a memory area.
 10. The structure of claim 9, wherein the memory area comprises the first bit cell and the second bit cell.
 11. A structure comprising: a bottom electrode in electrical contact with a lower metallization feature; a switching material contacting a first side of the bottom electrode and a second side of the bottom electrode opposite the first side; a first top electrode on the switching material on a first side of the bottom electrode, so that the switching material is between the first side of the bottom electrode and the first too electrode; a second top electrode on the switching material on a second side of the bottom electrode, so that the switching material is between the second side of the bottom electrode and the second top electrode; an etch stop layer lining sidewals or the first top electrode and the second top electrode and contacting a portion of the switching material; a first contact partially extending over and contacting a top surface of the first top electrode, and further contacting a top surface of the etch stop layer, and a second contact partially extending over and contacting a top surface of the second top electrode, and further contacting a top surface of the etch stop layer, wherein the first top electrode and the second top electrode share the bottom electrode in a 2-bit cell configuration.
 12. The structure of claim 11, wherein the first top electrode and the bottom electrode are a first bit cell and the second top electrode and the bottom electrode are a second bit cell, each of which include and are in directed contact with the switching material therebetween.
 13. The structure of claim 12, wherein the switching material is a high-k dielectric material.
 14. The structure of claim 11, wherein the first top electrode and the second top electrode are of a same material.
 15. The structure of claim 14, wherein the bottom electrode is of a different material than the first top electrode and the second top electrode.
 16. The structure of claim 11, wherein the first top electrode is on the first side of the bottom electrode and the second top electrode is on the second side of the bottom electrode, and the switching material is an intervening material between and directly contacting the bottom electrode and the first and second top electrodes.
 17. The structure of claim 16, wherein: the etch stop layer is in contact with the first top electrode and the second top electrode, on a surface opposing to the switching material; and an additional etch stop layer is under the etch stop layer and above the lower metallization feature, which is under the bottom electrode.
 18. The structure of claim 17, wherein the etch stop layer separates plural bottom electrodes. 